confederate statues

In 2017, white nationalists rioted against the removal of a statue of confederate general Robert E. Lee in Charlottesville. The statue was removed in August 6th, with the statue of Nathan Bedford Forrest, a confederate general and member of the klu klux klan, soon to follow in Memphis.

White nationalists, and other radical groups such as the KKK, and Alt-right members rioted the removal of the statues. In Charlottesville, a white nationalist drove a car through people who gathered to remove the statue of Robert E. Lee, killing one person and injury many others.

Some people believed the statues had historical value, and didn’t want them removed. However, the statues were not dedicating during the Civil War. The statues depicting confederate generals, some of which were KKK members, were created during the civil rights movement.

White nationalism is the idea that having white complexion is “superior”, and that people who are not considered white should not be in the United States. Despite the fact that the United States being founded on the shoulders of immigrants, white nationalists hold the idea that America shouldn’t have immigrants.

Moving into 2018, there are still hundreds of confederate statues standing,and the battle to remove them continues to be an issue. White nationalism and other hate groups continue to fight against the people who want the statues removed. Hopefully this new year will bring more peace in the United States.